James t



(No Model?) J. T. FOX. GATE LATCH.

No. 480,189. Patented Aug. 2,1892.

ammtoz 1;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. FOX, OF SHERMAN, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO \V. H. TORIAN, OF SAME PLACE.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,189, dated August 2, 1892.

Application filed April 30, 1892. Serial No. 431,259. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, JAMES T. FOX, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sherman, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Latches; and I do declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap- 1o pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification.

Figure l of the drawings is a side view of i5 gate and latch. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the latch.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in gate-latches, the object being to provide a simple and conven- 2o ient device of this character so constructed as to permit of its .ready adjustment to different gates, and also its adjustment, as may be required, subsequent to its attachment to the gate, without necessitating its removal; and

the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, all as hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates a swinging gate, to any ordinary form of which my latch is applicable. Said latch consists of a latch-bar B, working loosely in an elongated vertical slot at in the front post 0 of the gate, through which it projects. Connected to the intermediate portion of said bar is an arm D, curved forwardly at its upper portion and rigidly secured to a transverse handle-bar F. Said bar F at its intermediate portion is reduced in diameter, as shown at f, to form a journal portion having loose bear- 4o ings in staples or brackets g g on the post 0, and it is to this reduced or journal portion between the bearings that the arm D is connected. On each end of the bar F are vertical handles G. The connection between the arm D and the latch-bar B is effected by means of an elongated longitudinal slot h in said latch-bar, which is adjustably engaged by a small bolt or pin 70, having a nut 70', said bolt or pin passing through the lower portion of the arm D. It will therefore be apparent that the throw of the latch-bar or the extent of its projection through the post 0 may be governed by varying the point of connection between said bar and the arm D, so that the latch may be withdrawn sufficiently to prevent the latching, if desired, and may also be adjusted to gates having front posts of different thicknesses or separated by different intervals from the latch-post H of the fence; also, that an angular adjustment may be readily effected between said bar and the arm D,

if required, to bring the bar into alignment with the slot at or with the latch-plate of the post H. Said latch-plate, when it is desired that the gate shall swing freely both ways, is beveled from both edges to the central keeperslot 19, which is engaged by a catch projection 19 on the projecting end of thelatch-bar. If

it is desired to permit the gate to swing but one way, a stop may be provided on the post II or one wall of the slot 19 may be projected to form a stop, as shown in the drawings. It

is usually intended that the weight of the handles shall be sufficient to normally hold the latch locked; but in case it may be desired to use light handles a spring M may be employed for this purpose, as shown in the drawings. Raising the handles will rock the bar F in its bearings to withdraw the latch-bar from engagement with the latch-plate.

Having described this invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A gate-latch comprising the latch-bar 13, having therein a longitudinal slot h, the arm D, connected to the intermediate portion of said bar by a bolt or pin 7o, passing adjustably through said slot, said arm being curved forwardly at its upper portion, and a transverse handle-bar F, rigidly secured to the upper end of said arm, said handle-bar having a central reduced portion f, forming a journal for its rocking support on the gate-post, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES T. FOX.-

WVitnesses Ross BAKER, G. W. EASTWARD. 

